Demir clarified that there are now 41 companies on that red list, because they emit too much nitrogen and therefore have to close by 2025. The agricultural company that has been associated with Averbode Abbey for centuries also has a prize. Much to the dismay of many. But Demir stands his ground. “If we now open Pandora’s box again, different criteria will apply and other farms could suddenly be added to the red list. Then we’re back to square one. I wouldn’t do that,” said the Flemish Minister for the Environment.
The minister therefore wants to respect the nitrogen agreement within the Flemish government, but is awaiting the ongoing public inquiry. “We live in a state governed by the rule of law, one can lodge an objection”, she said in ‘De Morgen’. “If there are rational arguments, I’m open to them, but so far I’ve only heard emotional arguments, which I have a lot of understanding for.”
She regrets that the abbey of Averbode received the bad news by telephone and not by letter. But she emphasized that there is no legal basis for the nitrogen agreement yet. “After the public inquiry and any objections, we can go to some kind of decree at the end of this year,” she concluded.